Selected Short Stories of Guy de Maupassant (Illustrated Edition)

Author: [French] Guy de Maupassant
Publisher:
Publishing Date: Not available
Features: Maupassant's most were the Franco-Prussian War he personally participated in, his decade-long career as a minor clerk, and the life in his Norman hometown during his youth. These three environments provided his short stories with extremely rich themes. These works celebrate the patriotic fervor of the people, depict rural customs and social realities, and genuinely reflect the monotonous and rigid life of a minor clerk. They each have distinctive artistic features and are not repetitive, like the facets of a gem, collectively refracting brilliant light. Mr. Zhao Shaohou began publishing translations as early as the 1930s, with particularly fruitful results in the 1950s. His translations primarily include short stories and novellas by Maupassant, Flaubert, and Daudet, among others. Among them, the selected translations of Maupassant's short stories total 22, most of which are excellent works that combine both intellectual depth and artistic brilliance.
There is no battlefield shrouded in smoke or swordplay in the novel, yet through the forced surrender of the prostitute Olympe, Maupassant portrays characters with distinct personalities, especially depicting the ugly faces of the bourgeoisie who abandon national dignity for personal gain. Olympe, proud and resilient, refuses to submit, embodying the righteous spirit of patriotism, yet she is pushed into a trap by her hypocritical compatriots. To force her to comply, they employ all sorts of manipulative tactics, even the seemingly pious nuns are involved in the conspiracy. With realistic details, concise language, and masterful technique, Maupassant crafts this novel into a vivid portrayal of French society during wartime. The work frequently contrasts good and evil subtly, naturally evoking hatred for war, sympathy for the people, and contempt for the so-called upper class. It is indeed a masterpiece that excels in both intellectual depth and artistic brilliance.